Microcosm Publishing is an independent publisher and distributor based in Portland, OR. They distribute ideas through [[Zine|zine]]s, [[book]]s, [[pamphlet]]s, [[sticker]]s, buttons, [[patches]], t-shirts, films, and more, as well as manufacture custom [[1" buttons]] and vinyl stickers. They focus on publishing zines and books in the hopes that it will add credibility to zine writers and their ethics. Their titles attempt to teach self-empowerment to disenfranchised people and to nurture their creative side. They began in 1996 with one person doing part-time mailorder out of a bedroom.

+

'''Microcosm Publishing''' is an independent publisher and distributor based in Portland, Oregon, and Leavenworth, Kansas.

Please add how/why/when this distro started, along with any other relevent information.

+

===History===

+

Beginning in 1996 with only Joe Biel doing part time mail order out of a bedroom in Cleveland, Ohio, Microcosm moved to Portland, OR, in 1999. Microcosm is heralded in the zine community as an entity that, for better or worse, has brought zines into a larger consciousness in the new millennium, after former mainstream interest has largely subsided. They are responsible for many of the recent zine/book hybrid aesthetics and zines that have fancier covers or design aesthetics such as multiple color screenprints, letterpress, or offset printing. There is a particular focus towards images and artwork celebrating bicycles and radical politics. Many of the items offered are not available easily elsewhere on the web or otherwise.

−

== Projects ==

+

Incorporating the tactics of early punk record labels and a DIY approach, Microcosm uses guerrilla styled tactics for promoting their titles unlike most publishers of equal size. They rarely purchase advertising, and rely more heavily on the people who appreciate their craft independently passing out their catalogs in their respective towns.

−

* [[$100 & A T-Shirt]]

+

In September 2008, Microcosm opened a new retail store in southeast Portland There was a noticeable shift in the type of reading material offered, since most stock is "hurts" and "remainders" sold at half retail price or less. In May 2010 the store grew for a third time and moved in with Printed Matter Screenprinting and Eberhardt Press in a new building in southeast Portland at 636 SE 11th Ave.

−

* [[Making Stuff & Doing Things]]

+

−

* [[On Subbing]]

+

−

* [[Stolen Sharpie Revolution]]

+

−

== External Link ==

+

In July 2011, Microcosm closed its Bloomington, Indiana, office and opened a new distro/mailorder location in Lansing, Kansas. One month later, Lansing staffer Jessie Duquette (aka "Jessie Duke"), an employee since 2006, became co-owner of Microcosm.

−

[http://www.microcosmpublishing.com Microcosm Publishing]

+

For nearly sixteen years, Microcosm has remained truly independent of any outside management or funding and has suffered the corresponding financial hardships. Management decisions are made internally in meetings where full time staff collective members have an equal vote.

History

Beginning in 1996 with only Joe Biel doing part time mail order out of a bedroom in Cleveland, Ohio, Microcosm moved to Portland, OR, in 1999. Microcosm is heralded in the zine community as an entity that, for better or worse, has brought zines into a larger consciousness in the new millennium, after former mainstream interest has largely subsided. They are responsible for many of the recent zine/book hybrid aesthetics and zines that have fancier covers or design aesthetics such as multiple color screenprints, letterpress, or offset printing. There is a particular focus towards images and artwork celebrating bicycles and radical politics. Many of the items offered are not available easily elsewhere on the web or otherwise.

Incorporating the tactics of early punk record labels and a DIY approach, Microcosm uses guerrilla styled tactics for promoting their titles unlike most publishers of equal size. They rarely purchase advertising, and rely more heavily on the people who appreciate their craft independently passing out their catalogs in their respective towns.

In September 2008, Microcosm opened a new retail store in southeast Portland There was a noticeable shift in the type of reading material offered, since most stock is "hurts" and "remainders" sold at half retail price or less. In May 2010 the store grew for a third time and moved in with Printed Matter Screenprinting and Eberhardt Press in a new building in southeast Portland at 636 SE 11th Ave.

In July 2011, Microcosm closed its Bloomington, Indiana, office and opened a new distro/mailorder location in Lansing, Kansas. One month later, Lansing staffer Jessie Duquette (aka "Jessie Duke"), an employee since 2006, became co-owner of Microcosm.

For nearly sixteen years, Microcosm has remained truly independent of any outside management or funding and has suffered the corresponding financial hardships. Management decisions are made internally in meetings where full time staff collective members have an equal vote.